Reviews in hospital baby deaths "must not drag on"

Fianna Fáil TD Niamh Smyth has received confirmation from the Minister for Health Simon Harris that reviews into the deaths of babies at Cavan General Hospital will be completed as soon as possible.
“Minister Harris has confirmed to me that he has met with the HSE on this issue and he has told me that all reviews are underway and will be completed as soon as possible,” said the Bailieborough native.
“It’s important that these reviews are concluded as soon as possible for the families and the staff.”
Five reviews are ongoing at the hospital into the deaths of babies. The terms of reference for a review following the deaths of two babies in Cavan General in May have been agreed and they are due to commence in June.
“Firstly, I wish to sympathise with all the families who have lost a baby. I have asked the Minister for Health to get answers and to try and conclude these reviews and publish them as soon as possible. It’s in everyone’s interest.
“I also want to put it on the record about the wonderful staff in Cavan General, doing a great job in an under-resourced environment. The maternity services at Cavan General Hospital are an essential service for expectant mothers in Cavan and Monaghan and further afield. It’s important for the integrity of services and the staff, that these reports are completed as soon as possible.”
Last year, a report into maternity services in Cavan carried out by former CEO of the NHS Trust Development Authority, Mr David Flory was, in the main, positive.
It noted, however, the hospital’s biggest challenge was coping with staff shortages in critical areas and a committed level of expenditure in excess of available funding on the other hand. The perinatal mortality rate at Cavan General is below the Irish average and is lower than most other units with a similar number of births.
“The longer these reviews are allowed to drag on, the longer it casts doubt on these services.
“We don’t want that, we need our maternity services in Cavan. I have every confidence in this service and in the staff at Cavan General, but I believe units like Cavan need to be resourced adequately.
“Therefore, I am calling on the Minister for Health Simon Harris to put pressure on the HSE to recruit more staff and to ensure these reviews are not allowed drag on,” she said.